57th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards & Carpet Fashion

Ashley Gorley Named ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for 7th Time; Nashville Hitmakers Randy Travis, Hillary Lindsey, Brothers Osborne Honored at 57th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards

“One Number Away” Takes Song of the Year

Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen Named Songwriter-Artists of the Year

Warner Chappell Music Earns Publisher of the Year 

NASHVILLE, Nov. 11, 2019 - With a star-studded line-up rivalling Broadway’s brightest neon lights, the 57^th annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Country Music Awards celebrated the industry’s biggest names on Monday, November 11, 2019 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. The writers and publishers of country music’s most-performed songs of the past year were honored before an invitation-only audience of notable Nashville songwriters, top country artists and music industry leaders.

The 2019 ASCAP Country Music Awards – Recap

Hitmaker Ashley Gorley cemented his place among country music’s greats, taking home the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Award for an extraordinary seventh time in his career for seven chart-topping songs (“Life Changes,” “Eyes on You,” “Love Ain’t,” “What Makes You Country,” “I Lived It,” “Rumor,” “Hide the Wine”). Continuing his record-setting streak, he remains the only ASCAP songwriter to achieve this feat in the country music genre. ASCAP Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews presented Gorley with the award, and Gorley and country music stars Dierks Bentley and Jon Nite treated the crowd to a performance of their song “Living.”

 Ashley Gorley attends the 57th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards on November 11, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Nov. 10, 2019 - Source: Getty Images North America)

In a surprise appearance, CMA Awards host Carrie Underwood performed a stunning rendition of “Promises” and Garth Brooks delivered a heartfelt performance of “Forever and Ever, Amen” in tribute to country icon and ASCAP Founders Award recipient Randy Travis. A Grand Ole Opry member and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Travis’s devotion to classic country sounds took him to the pinnacle of country music fame. In recognition of Travis’s storied career, Brooks and Underwood joined ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams to present the revered artist with his award. This will join the top shelf of Travis’ award room alongside a Country Music Hall of Fame plaque, a Grand Ole Opry member trophy, seven GRAMMY Awards, 11 ACM statuettes, five CMA honors, 10 American Music Awards, two People’s Choice awards, eight Dove Awards and many more honors.

“This man saved country music single handedly.... I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for Randy Travis," said Garth Brooks as he welcomed Randy to the stage.
“Your music became a symphony to the lives of millions,” Mary Travis said to her husband. “The songs that you left us before your stroke six-and-a-half years ago will remain the soundtrack of our lives Forever and Ever, Amen.”

These awards celebrate the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most-performed country songs. Travis joins the ranks of Rodney Crowell, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Jackson Brown, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Neil Young, among others, as a Founders Award recipient. This particular award is one of ASCAP’s highest honors, which is presented to songwriters and composers who have made significant contributions to music and inspire and influence the music community. 

Acclaimed songwriter Hillary Lindsey received the ASCAP Global Impact Award in recognition of the enduring worldwide impact of her powerful and prolific repertoire. The two-time Grammy Award winner has penned songs recorded by Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Jon Bon Jovi, Florida Georgia Line, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan and countless others. With 22 #1 hits, from Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” to Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons,” her compelling storytelling continues to captivate audiences. Special guest presenter Kelsea Ballerini and ASCAP Vice President of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad awarded Lindsey with the prestigious honor. In celebration of this career milestone, Little Big Town performed her Grammy-winning song “Girl Crush.” Previous ASCAP Global Impact Award Winners include Lana Del Rey and Jessi Alexander (for "The Climb").

As previously announced, Brothers Osborne took home the ASCAP Vanguard Award for their fresh take on the modern country duo. The reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year just wrapped a set of tour dates with Chris Stapleton and released Live at The Ryman in October. Special guest presenters Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen (also an ASCAP member) added a touch of Hollywood to the festivities as they presented to the brothers.  

After a chart-topping year that saw their latest album debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen were named ASCAP Country Music Songwriter-Artists of the Year. ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta and 2018 honoree Brett Young presented the award to the pair for their collaboration on the hit songs “Hotel Key,” “One That Got Away” and “Make It Sweet.” 

A well-known pop and R&B writer who has worked with major artists from Madonna to Justin Bieber, Steven Battey won ASCAP Country Music Song of the Year for his first country hit, Luke Combs’s “One Number Away.” Battey then took the stage to serenade the audience with a moving version of the #1 song.

ASCAP’s Matthews presented the ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year Award to Warner Chappell Music Nashville President and Chief Executive Officer Ben Vaughn and Chief Operating Officer Carianne Marshall. Earning the award for the seventh consecutive time, Warner Chappell Music published some of the most-performed ASCAP country songs of the past year including “Tequila,” “You Make It Easy” and “Hotel Key.”

Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney and singer-songwriter Jordan Reynolds opened the show with a performance of their hit song “Tequila,” one of ASCAP's top country songs of the year.

For a full list of 2019 ASCAP Country Music Awards Winners:

MOST PERFORMED SONGS

*** Indicates a Top 3 ASCAP country song
Babe
Recorded by Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift
Written by Pat Monahan
Published by Monoman Music, Sony ATV

Break Up in the End
Recorded and Written by Jon Nite
Published by Nite Writer Music, Sony ATV

Burn Out
Recorded by Midland
Written by Jess Carson, Josh Osborne, Mark Wystrach
Published by Songs of Black River, Spirit Music Nashville, Tiptop Music, Tropical Cowboy Publishing, Warner Chappell Music

Cry Pretty
Recorded by Carrie Underwood
Written by Hillary Lindsey
Published by Birb Music, BMG Gold Songs, Rezonant Music

Drunk Girl
Recorded by Chris Janson
Written by Scooter Carusoe
Published by BMG Gold Songs, Carnival Music, Endurance Music Group

Drunk Me
Recorded by Mitchell Tenpenny
Written by Jordan Schmidt
Published by Tree Vibez Music, Warner Chappell Music, We-Volve Music

Eyes on You
Recorded by Chase Rice
Written by Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley
Published by CD’s Words & Music, Combustion Music, Round Hill Music, Sony ATV, Warner Chappell

Get Along ***
Recorded by Kenny Chesney
Written by Josh Osborne
Published by Anderson Fork in the Road Music, Smacksongs, Sony ATV

Girl Like You
Recorded by Jason Aldean
Written by Josh Mirenda
Published by Cornman Music, Warner Chappell Music

Good Girl
Recorded by Dustin Lynch
Written by Andy Albert
Published by Buzz Light Beer Music, Downtown DLJ Songs

Hangin’ On
Recorded by Chris Young
Written by Corey Crowder
Published by Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music

Heart Break
Recorded by Lady Antebellum
Written by Dave Haywood
Published by Haywoodja Cut That Songs, The Best I Could Do Publishing, Warner Chappell Music

Here Tonight
Recorded by Brett Young
Written by Ben Caver, Brett Young
Published by Big Machine Music, Caliville Publishing, Songs of Black River, The Best I Could Do Publishing, Warner Chappell Music

Hide the Wine
Recorded by Carly Pearce
Written by Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey
Published by BMG Gold Songs, Combustion Music, Endurance Music Group, Round Hill Music, Warner Chappell Music

Hooked
Recorded by Dylan Scott
Written by Seth Ennis
Published by Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music

Hotel Key
Recorded by Old Dominion
Written by Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen
Published by Anderson Fork in the Road Music, Smacksongs, Sony ATV, Rehits Music, Rezonant Music, Unfair Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music

I Lived It
Recorded by Blake Shelton
Written by Ashley Gorley, Ben Hayslip
Published by Combustion Music, Pinetucky Road Publishing, Round Hill Music, This Music, Warner Chappell Music

I Was Jack (You Were Diane)
Recorded by Jake Owen
Written by Craig Wiseman, David Ray, John Mellencamp
Published by Big Loud Songs, David Ray Music, Red Toe Rocker, Round Hill Music, Sony ATV

Kiss Somebody
Recorded by Morgan Evans
Written by Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne
Published by Anderson Fork in the Road Music, CD’s Words & Music, Smacksongs, Sony ATV

Kinda Don’t Care
Recorded by Justin Moore
Written by Ben Hayslip
Published by This Music, Warner Chappell Music

Last Shot
Recorded by Kip Moore
Written by David Lee Murphy, Kip Moore
Published by Cornman Music, N2D Publishing Company Inc., Old Desperadoes LLC, Point Break Publishing, Warner Chappell Music

Life Changes
Recorded by Thomas Rhett
Written by Ashley Gorley
Published by Combustion Music, Round Hill Music, Warner Chappell Music

Love Ain’t
Recorded by Eli Young Band
Written by Ashley Gorley
Published by Combustion Music, Round Hill Music, Warner Chappell Music

Love Wins
Recorded by Carrie Underwood
Written by Brett James, David Garcia
Published by Songs of Brett, Spirit Music Nashville, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music

Make It Sweet
Recorded by Old Dominion
Written by Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers
Published by Big Deal Music Group, Rehits Music, Rezonant Music, Sharkules Music, Smacksongs, Tiny Handstand, Universal Music Publishing Group, Unfair Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music

Meant to Be
Recorded by Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Written by David Garcia
Published by Spirit Music Nashville, Universal Music Publishing Group

Mercy
Recorded by Brett Young
Written by Brett Young
Published by Big Machine Music, Caliville Publishing

Miss Me More
Recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
Written by Kelsea Ballerini, Leland
Published by Bob Ochoa’s Homemade Salsa, KNB Music, Songs of Black River, Sony ATV

Most People Are Good
Recorded by Luke Bryan
Written by Josh Kear
Published by Big Yellow Dog Music, Champagne Whiskey Publishing

On My Way to You
Recorded by Cody Johnson
Written by Brett James, Tony Lane
Published by BMG Gold Songs, Combustion Music, Heytone Music, One77 Songs, Songs of Brett, Warner Chappell Music

One Number Away ***
Recorded by Luke Combs
Written by Steven Battey
Published by Mall B Publishing

One That Got Away
Recorded by Michael Ray
Written by Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen
Published by Anderson Fork in the Road Music, Rehits Music, Rezonant Music, Smacksongs, Sony ATV, Warner Chappell Music

Rumor
Recorded by Lee Brice
Written by Ashley Gorley, Kyle Jacobs
Published by Combustion Music, Curb|Word Music Publishing, Jacobsongs, Round Hill Music, Warner Chappell Music

She Got the Best of Me
Recorded by Luke Combs
Written by Luke Combs
Published by Little Extra Music, No Cats Round Here

Speechless
Recorded by Dan + Shay
Written by Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds
Published by Beats & Banjos, Buckeye26, Jreynmusic, Warner Chappell Music

Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset
Recorded by Luke Bryan
Written by Zach Crowell
Published by Combustion Music, Lake Allegan Pub Club, One77 Songs, Spirit Music Nashville, Tape Room Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music

Take It from Me
Recorded by Jordan Davis
Written by Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis
Published by Anthem Entertainment, Jordan Davis Music, Rehits Music, Rezonant Music

Tequila ***
Recorded by Dan + Shay
Written by Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds
Published by Beats & Banjos, Buckeye26, Jreynmusic, Warner Chappell Music

This Is It
Recorded by Scotty McCreery
Written by Aaron Eshuis, Frank Rogers
Published by Fluid Tunes, Ice House Tunes, Smacksongs, Spirit Music Nashville

What Makes You Country
Recorded by Luke Bryan
Written by Ashley Gorley
Published by Combustion Music, Round Hill Music, Warner Chappell Music

Whiskey Glasses
Recorded by Morgan Wallen
Written by Kevin Kadish
Published by Endurance Music Group, Shooting Moving Targets in the Dark, Sony ATV

Woman, Amen
Recorded by Dierks Bentley
Written by Dierks Bentley, Josh Kear
Published by Big Yellow Dog Music, Champagne Whiskey Publishing, Dudetunes

You Make It Easy
Recorded by Jason Aldean
Written by Jordan Schmidt
Published by Tree Vibez Music, Warner Chappell Music, We-Volve Music

CONNECT with ASCAP:

About ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP's mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world's best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business - from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more.

The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With more than 725,000 members representing more than 11.5 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members.

ASCAP COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2019 - HERE

RED CARPET FASHION - 57th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards

Carly Pearce: The 29-year-old "Every Little Thing" singer wore a Ramy Brook Rainn Romper adding black Jimmy Choo (via ninashoes) open heels | Jewels (Prakshi & 'Three For One' ring and Teardrop Dangling Rarrings by ALTM A Little Too Much) 

Makeup (Mari Fandl: IT Cosmetics, Too Faced Cosmetics, Ardell Lashes & Beauty, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Urban Decay Cosmetics), Hair (T3 Micro)

Cassadee Pope: The 30-year-old "If My Heart Had a Heart" singer-songwriter wore a LBV by Elizabeth Kennedy look adding René Caovilla heels, an Altaire purse, Jennifer Zeuner rings, a Lili Claspe necklace and earrings, a bstrd earring, and a Dannijo choker | Hair (DANNIJO) - Instagram

Jillian Jacqueline: The singer-songwriter wore a ELLIATT Cuore Dress (Product; Australian Fashion Label) | (Brittney Head Nashville Makeup + Hair)

TOP (L-R): Carly Pearce (Ramy Brook), Cassadee Pope, Jillian Jacqueline (Elliatt)
BOTTOM (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini (Dundas), Tenille Townes, The Sisterhood Band

Kelsea Ballerini: The 26-year-old "homecoming queen?" singer-songwriter wore a Dundas jacket and shorts (Runway Fall 2019 Couture) adding black Rene Caovilla open heels.

  

Tenille Townes – The 25-year old "Jersey on the Wall” Canadian singer-songwriter wore a plunge front ivory trouser suit adding sparkly silver shoes and matching purse. | Tiffany Gifford (Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist).

The Sisterhood Band: Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowgirls. The duo honoured and wore their parents clothes. Alyssa Bonagura donned her mums clothes (Kathie Baillie) from the 80s tonight, dads bolo (Michael Bonagura) and the belt he wore from their first music video. Ruby Stewart wore Rod Stewarts Black Shag Vintage shirt and belt outfit - Instagram

47th Annual CMA Awards - 2013 Build Up

47th Annual CMA Awards 2013 Build Up

SESAC, ASCAP Awards, CMA 2013 Pre-show thoughts and artist interviews

2013 SESAC Nashville Music Awards

On Sunday night (Nov 3rd), 500 guests gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to celebrate the songs those stars sing, and the talented people who brought them to life.

SESAC’s annual Nashville Music Awards recognized the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs written by the performing rights organization’s member.

Top honours went to Keifer Thompson (Thompson Square) , and Song of the Year was the smash hit  “‘Cruise”

2013 SESAC Nashville Music Awards winners:

Songwriter of the Year: Keifer Thompson

Song of the Year: “Cruise,” Jesse Rice, Artist Revolution Publishing, recorded by Florida Georgia Line

Publisher of the Year: Magic Mustang Music

For complete list of awards and honorees visit The Tennessean

The 51st annual ASCAP Country Awards

51st annual ASCAP Country Awards took place at the Music City Center in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013.

George Strait took the evening’s top honour at Music City Center’s Grand Ballroom.

ASCAP, a performing rights organization that represents songwriters, honored Strait with the Founder’s Award, its most prestigious award reserved for those who have made “pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators.”

Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and Lee Ann Womack performed a tribute to George at the invitation-only event.

>> Watch George Strait’s ASCAP Press Conference

(Top): Brandy Clark, Leah Turner, RaeLynn, Cassadee Pope 

(Bottom): Danielle Bradbery, Lee Holyfield, 

Angaleena Presley and Jennifer Nettles

51st Annual ASCAP Awards - Red Carpet (4 Nov 2013)

Some of the country genre’s up-and-comers including Leah Turner and Brothers Osborne announced the most played country songs of the year written by ASCAP writers.

Country Song of the Year (tie): “How Country Feels,” Neil Thrasher (Randy Houser); and “Drunk on You,” Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins (Luke Bryan)

Country Songwriter of the Year: Josh Kear

Music Publisher of the Year: Warner/Chappell Music Publishing

Top Five Country Songs: “Drunk on You”; “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” Eric Paslay (Eric Paslay); “How Country Feels”; “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” Shane McAnally (Luke Bryan); and “(Kissed You) Good Night,” Josh Kear, Tom Gossin (Gloriana)

Read the FULL Report and view the Photo Gallery at The Tennessean

ASCAP Red Carpet Gallery -

Jessi Alexander's "I Drive Your Truck" is honored at the ASCAP Country Awards at the Music City Center in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013.

Jennifer Nettles & Friends - Spotify Showcase

The Sugarland singer performed new music with help from Little Big Town's Phillip Sweet, Richard Marx and Ronnie Milsap, whose "Stranger In My House" brought down the ... house. She previewed her new solo music...get ready to be blown away! #SpotifyCMA. 

Her forthcoming debut solo album, THAT GIRL, will be released in early January. 

Other performers and guests included:  

Brandy Clark, Dustin Lynch, Cassadee Pope, Josh Thompson, RaeLynn and Lucy Hale.

The 47th Annual CMA Awards 2013

Are you ready for Country Music's Biggest night?

• >> Watch the Preview
• The 47th Annual CMA Awards COUNTDOWN
• CMA Awards 360 is your exclusive, all-access pass visit cmaworld.com
• Watch the CMA red carpet at gactv.com
• Check out the Performers and Presenters who will be appearing at cmaworld.com , 47th CMA Awards Nominees Listing - www.opry.com
• Download the CMA Awards App: This is the official app for “The 47th Annual CMA Awards” .This is your ultimate electronic guide to “Country Music’s Biggest Night.” Join Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood as they host the show together for the sixth year in a row. Download this app to get 24/7 access to all the nominees, photos, interviews and more.
• Danielle Bradbery will live-tweet her first CMA Awards experience Wednesday (Nov 6th). Follow her here. She is also the newest addition to CMT's "Next Women Of Country" franchise
• Predict The Winners at spotify-cma.com - 2013 CMA Awards Nominees on Spotify

10 Greatest CMA Awards Moments Ever at Taste Of Country

Faith Hill reacts to Carrie Underwood's Win (2006) 

versus Taylor Swift Wins Entertainer of the Year (2009)

BBC Radio 2 Country are in Nashville all this week for the CMA Country Music Association Awards and associated!

Hear Patrick Kielty between 14:00 & 17:00 tomorrow (Thursday) with Kacey Musgraves, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and live music from Chuck Mead. 

See BBC Radio 2 page for details/ Listen Back

Kicking off the 47th Annual CMA Awards week are the Blue Room Exclusive Interviews!

Watch >> Eric Church  Watch >> Lady Antebellum

Watch >> The Band Perry - Tune in to to see The Band Perry perform their latest hit, "Don't Let Me Be Lonely." -

Watch more at Youtube.com/CountryMusicAssoc

Presenters & Performers

Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, Jake Owen, Kip Moore, Brett Eldredge, Lee Brice and Eli Young Band have been tapped to present trophies at Wednesday night's 47th Annual CMA Awards.

Nashville stars Connie  Britton and Charles Esten, plus Willie & Korie Roberts and Jase & Missy Roberts of Duck Dynasty fame are also handing out hardware.

Lennon & Maisy Stella, who play Rayna James' daughters on Nashville, have been added to the performers lineup as well!

Artist Pre-Show Quotes/ Thoughts

Eric Church who is nominated for Male Vocalist and Musical Event Of The Year told the Associated Press: "Could be crowd-surfing, could be mosh pits," "They could be throwing cans at me."

He isn't sure what reaction he'll get when he plays his new single, the hard rock anthem "The Outsiders," on Wednesday night (Nov 6th) during the Country Music Association Awards.

Listen to the song in FULL >> iheart.com The song is available for download on Amazon.com and US iTunes

Church's last album, "Chief," won the CMA and Academy of Country Music album of the year awards, sold 1.5 million copies and changed his career. The album's success moved him from promising songwriter to arena-filling star. He did it by tapping into the growing hunger for hard rock sounds in country. His new album, produced again by Jay Joyce is set for release Feb 11, 2014. Other tracks on the album include "Cold One," "Roller Coaster Ride," "The Joint," and "Devil Devil," that latter with a prelude of Shel Silverstein's poem, "The Devil and Billy Markham."

Luke Bryan who is nominated for Entertainer Of The Year, Male Vocalist Of The Year and Musical Event Of The Year opens to ABC news up about the two tragedies that nearly broke him. He was sickly when he was little baby, so I bounced him all the time ... and hummed "'Rock of Ages,'" Bryan's mother, LeClaire, told "20/20." "He could literally hum "Rock of Ages" before he could talk." Bryan later joined high school musicals and started his own band. By the time he was 19, he planned to move to Nashville to follow his dreams. But days before Bryan was going to leave home, tragedy struck his family.

Luke centre (childhood pic)

"My older brother, Chris, was unexpectedly killed in a ... car accident," Bryan said. "I'm kind of hyperventilating talking about it. ... You never truly ...move beyond it."

Once in Nashville, Bryan found initial success as a songwriter, and soon after, he was signed as a performer and had his first hit song, "All My Friends Say." When he was invited to perform at the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Bryan's older sister, Kelly Cheshire, organized 129 people, practically Bryan's entire hometown, to attend his Opry debut. Tragically, just a few days after Bryan's performance, his sister died at home. Bryan said the cause remains undetermined.

Taylor Swift who top the list of nominees for “The 47th Annual CMA Awards” with six nominations (including Entertainer Of The Year and Album of the year) will receive the CMA's Pinnacle Award Wednesday (11/6) during the 47th Annual CMA Awards. The honor recognizes unique national and international prominence through concert performances and record sales, as well as a long-term positive impact on upcoming generations' appreciation of country. The award was created in 2005.

Country Star Trivia: The Pinnacle Award has only been given to one other artist, who was it? Answer: Garth Brooks

Kacey Musgraves who jointly tops the list of nominees with six nominations (including Song, Single, Album and Female Vocalist) says winning the Album of the Year trophy for Same Trailer Different Park would be ideal since she could share it with her entire team. 

She says, "If you can take that home, then I feel like your entire body of work is rewarded. It’s not just the songs or the singer, it’s the whole band. It’s the package. It’s the photography that’s on the album cover, which my sister did!"

Making Same Trailer Different Park was a real labor of love for Kacey, who co-produced the project along with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. Kacey adds, "The songs are near and dear to my heart, so it represents a time in my life that I’m really proud of."

So, what would Kacey do if Same Trailer Different Park ended up taking the Album of the Year prize?

"If I got to take home that award, I think I would just melt into a puddle," she says with a big laugh. Kacey is expected to perform her brand-new single, "Follow Your Arrow," on the awards show.

Florida Georgia Line could walk away with the first CMA trophies Wednesday night. 

They're up for three awards including Duo of the Year and Single of the Year for "Cruise," the song that catapulted their career into the stratosphere. It seems the duo's Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley get big news about awards show nominations and sold-out headlining concerts just about every day, so how do they keep it all from running together. Tyler tells ABC News Radio, "We try to let it sink in every few days. It seems like every morning we're waking up realizing how blessed we are looking at all the crazy stuff that's going on. It makes us want to work even harder, and we're just having a good time." Florida Georgia Line hopes to be on the nominations list for next year's CMA Awards, too.

Keith Urban has 4 nominations including Male Vocalist, Single and Musical Event of the Year is set to perform his hit duet with Miranda Lambert, "We Were Us," on the CMA night. He admits singing on live shows like this one can be a bit jarring since something could easily go wrong in front of millions of TV viewers. "TV is just hard because it's so run-and-gun," Keith explains. "You know, you don't have time to check things, and you can do it on sound check and then it doesn't sound like anything on the night. It's so quick and it's just like, I like being able to sort of get into the zone, and you can't do that in three minutes."

In the end, focusing on the music is the only thing Keith can do during those live TV performances.

He says, "I just try and play. I mean, I try not to think about all the people sitting down in the front and all that sort of thing."

Jason Aldean nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist and Musical Event of the Year has got his eye on the top prize -- Entertainer of the Year.  After the success of his Night Train tour and album this year, Jason feels he has a real shot at taking that trophy home. "Any time you're in that category and have a shot at that one is pretty special," Jason says. "That's one that's kind of, to this point in my career, has kind of eluded us so far. So, if there was one I would like to get before my career is done, it'd be that one." Even if he walks away empty-handed, Jason knows he'll have a good time with his fellow country stars at some of the after-parties.

Darius Rucker's hit, "Wagon Wheel," is up for CMA Single of the Year as well as Song of the Year for the songwriters, Ketch Secor and Bob Dylan. Ketch's band Old Crow Medicine Show originally released "Wagon Wheel" as a bluegrass song about a decade ago, and Darius has been a big fan of their version for years now. He says, "They do it so perfectly. I mean, the way they do the song is the way it should be done. It's just a perfect bluegrass song.  I didn't think I could make it a country song."

It wasn't until Darius heard another band do "Wagon Wheel" with a country feel that he decided to cut it. He goes on to call it a "perfect country song," adding, "Man, I don't know if I could ever be any countrier than that."

Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood tells ABC News Radio, "It's always that front row, they always stack, like, Reba, George [Strait], Tim [McGraw], Faith [Hill]. Taylor Swift's always in there. Yeah, it'll be a little nerve-wracking for sure."

On top of that, Lady Antebellum will be performing their brand-new song, "Compass," on the show.

"It's a new song," Dave explains. "So [we're] kind of getting all those parts worked out again. We've been rehearsing and stuff leading up to this."

Though they've already won six CMA Awards, Lady A is extremely grateful for their nods this year for Vocal Group of the Year and Video of the Year for "Downtown." - "It's never a guarantee to get into any of those categories by any means for the CMAs," Dave explains. "You know, there's so many great country artists doing so many really cool things right now. So, we're honored to be there." "Compass" is the lead single from Lady Antebellum's expanded re-release of their current album, Golden Deluxe, hitting stores November 11.